Toyota AI Ventures doubles down with a second $100 million for mobility startups
Toyota AI Ventures (TAIV) announced a second $100 million investment commitment - Toyota AI Ventures Fund II - dedicated to supporting early-stage autonomous mobility and robotics startups. Toyota uses TAIV to stay ahead as the world of mobility changes, with hopes the startups will add to Toyota's mobility portfolio.
Waymo wants you to know its autonomous driver recognizes children and cyclists
Self-driving car company Waymo published the first in a series of public-assurance promotions that depict safe behavior of Waymo's autonomous vehicles. The initial release includes videos that show how the Waymo "driver" -- the technology, not a human -- responds to school children and cyclists.
Audi of America president abruptly resigns after just six months on the job
Audi of America President Mark Del Rosso is stepping down after less than six months at the helm. Audi has not provided any specifics as to why Del Rosso is departing so suddenly, or whether it was his choice to step down. Current Executive Vice President and COO Cian O’Brien will fill the role on an interim basis.
Chinese automaker Zotye wants to start selling cars in the U.S. within two years
China's Zotye Automobile is aiming to launch its T600 small crossover in the United States in late 2020 or early 2021. The T600 could be the first Chinese-branded passenger car sold in the U.S. Other Chinese automakers are also eyeing the U.S. market, but Zotye is already signing up dealers.
2020 Chevrolet Camaro gets a face-lift to erase controversial styling
The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro gets a styling update following negative feedback to the 2019 model's look. Chevy is also adding a new, cheaper V8 model to the lineup, undercutting the cheapest V8 version of the rival Ford Mustang. The 2020 Chevrolet Camaro goes on sale this fall.
Tesla’s Model 3 qualifies for owner tax incentives in Canada
To help Canadian Tesla Model 3 buyers qualify for a rebate, Tesla cut the price and limited the range of the Model 3 Standard Range version. Anyone who buys the limited-range car will get the rebate, but can only drive 93 miles per charge. Because of the range and price cut, however, others can also get the rebate.
2019 Kia Niro EV electric car offers 239 miles of range for $39,495
The all-electric 2019 Kia Niro EV joins hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of Kia's pseudo crossover. With three green powertrains available in one vehicle, Kia is certainly giving customers plenty of choices. The Niro EV will soon be joined by an electric version of the Kia Soul.
Aston Martin Vantage AMR marks the return of the manual transmission
The limited-edition Aston Martin Vantage AMR will have car enthusiasts rejoicing. Why? Because it's bringing back the manual transmission to Aston Martin. Just 200 AMRs will be built, but Aston Martin plans to offer the manual option on the standard Vantage beginning in 2020.
GM wants to make an electric pickup, but can it beat its rivals to the punch?
General Motors won't team up with startup Rivian, but it still wants a piece of the burgeoning electric pickup truck segment. Company CEO Mary Barra confirmed a battery-powered full-size truck is in the pipeline, though she stopped short of revealing when it will arrive, and which brand will sell it.
Google, Harman are helping Fiat-Chrysler overhaul its infotainment tech
Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has teamed up with Harman and Google to overhaul its connected-car and infotainment technologies. The automaker is planning a suite of new features that keeps users connected on the go. The next Uconnect platform will debut in late 2019 and it will be in all FCA cars by 2022.
It’s over: Smart confirms it’s leaving America after disastrous shift to EVs
Daimler announced its Smart brand will leave the United States after the 2019 model year. The company's annual American sales dropped by 58% to under 1,300 cars after it shifted to selling only electric vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz dealer network will continue to provide parts and service for Smart owners.
Jaguar’s Smart Wallet rewards drivers for reporting traffic jams and potholes
Jaguar-Land Rover wants to reward drivers who allow their car to share information about road conditions. Still in the pilot phase, its Smart Wallet technology gives motorists cryptocurrency if they agree to let their car send traffic information, weather information, and even the location of potholes.
The first flying car skyport is under construction on a rooftop in Miami
Future residents of Paramount Miami World Center, a 600-unit condominium building now under construction, may be the first in the world with a private skyport for their use, TV station WSVN reports. Sky ports built specifically for flying cars will offer amenities specifically for flying cars.
The car insurance penalty for distracted driving rose nearly 10,000% this decade
The penalties for texting and talking on a handheld phone while driving now include massive insurance premium increases, according to The Zebra. From 2011 to 2018, the average annual insurance premium adjustment for a distracted driving conviction in the U.S. rose from $2 to $290, a 9,750% increase.
Pal is an electric scooter that can get you home when you forget where you are
A British design studio and a Chinese automotive and smart mobility firm collaborated to develop Pal -- a smart, electric scooter. Firms Layer and Nio propose the scooter as a "near-future concept" solution for the growing traffic congestion in cities. Pal uses A.I. machine-learning to recognize common routes.
Ford’s self-braking shopping cart offers crash-free supermarket trips
Ford has created a self-braking shopping cart designed to stop kids from smashing into things when they take off with one in the supermarket. But sadly for put-upon parents, the cart won't be commercialized, as its main purpose is to highlight the automaker's Pre-collision Assist technology.
Lidar may be in your future in places where you least expect it
Lidar does more than help autonomous cars create 3D maps of the highway to detect and avoid people, animals, objects, or other vehicles in their path. In anticipation of expanding market segments for lidar applications, Velodyne Lidar contracted with Nikon's Sendai subsidiary to mass produce lidar sensors.
What car wouldn’t be better with this 1,000-horsepower Hellephant engine?
The "Hellephant" is a 1,000-horsepower Hemi V8 "crate engine" that can be dropped into any pre-1976 car. It references one of the greatest muscle car engines in history, but incorporates modern tech from Dodge's Hellcat motor. Mopar stuffed the Hellephant into a 1968 Dodge Charger.
Volkswagen prepares its electric ID R race car for its toughest challenge yet
The Volkswagen ID R electric race car will head to the Nürburgring to set a lap record. With Romain Dumas at the wheel, the ID R will try to become the fastest electric car around the grueling, 12.9-mile long track. The record attempt is taking place in the summer of 2019 with a car built specifically for the occasion.
Qiantu K50 electric sports car was designed in China, will be built in the U.S.
The Qiantu K50 is a Chinese electric sports car that will be marketed in the United States by California-based Mullen Technologies. The carbon-fiber-bodied, 402-horsepower K50 is expected to go on sale in 2020. The Qiantu K50 made its U.S. debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show.
Tesla posts $702M Q1 loss as deliveries fall sharply; Musk promises turnaround
Tesla lost $702 million during the first quarter of 2019 as deliveries fell sharply, and demand for the Model X and the Model S flattened. The company predicts it will again lose money in the second quarter, but it will return to profitability during the third. It also announced plans to enter the insurance business.
Nvidia agrees with Tesla’s take on self-driving cars, but corrects specifics
Nvidia's vice president of investor relations Rob Csongor underscored his company's agreement with broad statements by Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the EV company's April 22 Autonomy Investor Day. However, Csongor took exception to what he termed were inaccuracies about Nvidia's self-driving car computer.
Electric truck maker Rivian scores $500 million investment from Ford
Alongside Amazon, Rivian can now count Ford as one of its backers. The Blue Oval will invest $500 million in Rivian, and will use the company's "skateboard" chassis as the basis for a future electric vehicle. Rivian plans to launch its R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV in 2020.
2019 Ford F-150 RTR gets a light dose of off-road, style upgrades
Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR Vehicles is turning its attention to the 2019 Ford F-150 pickup truck. RTR gave Ford's bestseller new suspension components and tires, as well as more extroverted exterior styling. The Ford F-150 already gets plenty of attention from tuners like Roush, Shelby, and Hennessey.
Tesla Model S and Model X charge faster and go farther with the same battery
An all-new drivetrain for the Tesla Model S and Model X enables the EVs to travel farther per charge than the previous design. New-build Tesla Model S Long Range sedans have a 370-mile range and Model X Long Range SUVs can travel 325 miles per EPA cycle. The increased driving range comes with no change to the battery.
Google Maps now shows EV owners which charging stations are occupied
Google just beefed up its Maps app with extra data to help EV owners find the nearest charging station. Drivers can also find out the number and types of ports available, and whether they're occupied, and get information about the business where the charging station is located. You can even leave a review!
2020 Nissan 370Z Special Edition celebrates 50 Years of the Z car
Nissan is celebrating 50 years of its iconic "Z car" with a special edition of the 2020 370Z. The 50th-anniversary model is dressed to look like a 1970s race car, but remains technically unchanged. Nissan is still mum about the future of the 370Z.
Startup Smartcar accuses bigger rival Otonomo of stealing intellectual property
California-based startup Smartcar claims its intellectual property was stolen by a much bigger (and better-funded) rival named Otonomo. The company published screen shots of its API next to Otonomo's API and pointed out the similarities, including typos. Otonomo hasn't given its side of the story yet.
Tesla will have ‘autonomous robotaxis’ in 2020, Elon Musk says
Tesla will deploy self-driving cars in a "robotaxi" service in 2020, CEO Elon Musk said at the automaker's Autonomy Investor Day. Current Tesla cars have all hardware needed for fully-autonomous driving, he said.
This vintage Ford Bronco off-roader has a modern electric powertrain
Zero Labs took a classic Ford Bronco and replaced its gasoline engine with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. So you get the style and off-road capability of a Bronco, but with zero emissions. Zero Labs hasn't disclosed a price or on-sale date for the electric Ford Bronco.
Ford is keeping hackers out of its cars by putting key fobs to sleep
Ford believes it found a way to stop thieves who try to hack their way into a car by duplicating its key fob. It developed a smart key fob that puts itself to sleep when it's idle for at least 40 seconds. It automatically wakes up when it senses someone picked it up. The technology isn't U.S.-bound yet.
Where to go when your EV is low: Rich neighborhoods have most charging stations
If you're running low on juice in your electric vehicle, head for the rich part of town. A survey by Realtor.com found home prices are higher in areas with more electric vehicle charging stations. The median list price for homes in the 20 ZIP codes with the most EV charging stations were 2.6 times the national average.
Café racer-inspired ebike hits 28 mph quickly and quietly with carbon belt drive
Ebike manufacturer Electra launched the Café Moto Go, an advanced ebike. The Café Moto Go's step-over frame was inspired by café racer motorcycles. The Café Moto Go is a premium performance ebike built to run smoothly and extra quietly with a carbon belt drive system and a continuously variable hub.
Apple’s interest in self-driving cars reported to be revving up
Let the rumors of Apple's interest in self-driving cars start up again. After it seemed like the company was backing off entering the autonomous vehicle competition, a new report suggests that Apple is in talks with a number of suppliers to purchase lidar sensors, an essential tool for self-driving cars.